Tragedy at Luxor Open Despite Victory for GB taekwondo

Although it was a tragic Saturday at the Luxor Taekwondo Open, organizers decided the event could continue with London 2012 bronze medallist, Muhammad, and Nottingham born Richards the pick of some outstanding performances. A spokesman for GBTaekwondo offered sincere condolences to Seyithan Akbalik's family.

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Lutalo Muhammad and Ruebyn Richards claimed gold medals at the Luxor Open in Egypt but all victories were over shadowed by the death of Turkish athlete Seyithan Akbalik, reported GB Taekwondo.

“It is really sad news and hard to put into words,” said Muhammad who defeated GB Academy team mate, Damon Sansum, to win the -80kg title.

“My thoughts go out to his family. I think I speak for everyone on the GB team who fought after what happened that every fight was dedicated to him.”

“However, all the Turkish team made it quite clear he would have wanted us to fight on.”Akbalik, 20, who competed in the -63kg division, suffered a suspected cardiac arrest after his competition last Sunday.

A spokesman for GB Taekwondo added: “It is a sad time for the sport and on behalf of the GB team, as well as British Taekwondo and its members; we offer our sincere condolences to the family of Seyithan Akbalik and all those close to him.”

Despite the tragedy, organizers decided the event could continue with London 2012 bronze medallist, Muhammad, and Nottingham born Richards the pick of some outstanding performances by a strong GB squad.

Manchester based Muhammad’s thrilling win takes him to within touching distance of the world number one spot while Sansum also collected valuable ranking points plus a last 16 win over Beijing Olympian, Aaron Cook.

“It was tough because no one knows you better than someone you train against every single day,” said ‘Walthamstow Warrior’Muhammad of beating former German Open champion, Sansum.

“I am really happy with the win but also that it was an all GB final. It shows as a team we are dominating the world.

“It would be amazing to be number one,” agreed the World Grand Prix champion from Manchester last December. “It’s like a video game; you’re always trying to move up the rankings.

“I am getting closer to the number one spot so I just want to keep on winning tournaments and cement a top six ranking place for Rio.”

Richards hasn’t always enjoyed the best of fortunes since joining the Academy after being recruited as part of the UKSport backed talent identification programme, Fighting Chance, in 2010.

But the 21-year-old, controversially denied a medal at last year’s World Championships in Mexico, showed his capabilities and his versatility by winning the ultra-tough -68kg weight division.

Richards has previously fought at -80kg and -74kg but looked a -68kg natural as he won five fights including a 10-3 final success over home favourite, Ghofran Zaki.